The Best Red Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

Glossy or matte, bold or sheer, day or night—a red lip is the simplest way to transform your look. But choosing the perfect shade? So freaking tough. To help you get it right, we asked experts to break down the colors that complement seven common complexion types—from ivory to ebony and everything in between.

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PORCELAIN

PORCELAIN

You've won the red lip lottery and can pretty much get away with any shade, says celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who works with Margot Robbie and Dakota Johnson. "All reds are flattering on porcelain skin—it's like a blank canvas." Bright hues with blue undertones (think cherry and pomegranate) work especially well. Just make sure to warm up cheeks with a dusting of matching blush to avoid looking washed out.

FAIR

FAIR

Ivory skin with neutral undertones? Classic reds with a hint of pink should be your thing because they'll brighten up your whole face, says Dubroff. Before you even think about swiping, though, prime your lips with a hydrating balm and dab the excess off with blotting paper.

Try: Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in 99, $35; dior.com; New York Creamy Color Sensational Vivid Lipcolor in On Fire Red, $8; maybelline.com; Rimmel London The Only One Lipstick in Best of the Best, $7; ulta.com

PORCELAIN

You've won the red lip lottery and can pretty much get away with any shade, says celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who works with Margot Robbie and Dakota Johnson. "All reds are flattering on porcelain skin—it's like a blank canvas." Bright hues with blue undertones (think cherry and pomegranate) work especially well. Just make sure to warm up cheeks with a dusting of matching blush to avoid looking washed out.

FAIR

Ivory skin with neutral undertones? Classic reds with a hint of pink should be your thing because they'll brighten up your whole face, says Dubroff. Before you even think about swiping, though, prime your lips with a hydrating balm and dab the excess off with blotting paper.

Try: Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in 99, $35; dior.com; New York Creamy Color Sensational Vivid Lipcolor in On Fire Red, $8; maybelline.com; Rimmel London The Only One Lipstick in Best of the Best, $7; ulta.com

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MEDIUM-FAIR

Brick is the prettiest choice for ladies in this skin range, but a true cranberry red works well, too. Avoid coral, says makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor, since it can "make medium skin look sallow." His trick for ensuring precise edges? Slick the color on straight from the tube in the center of your lips and use a tapered brush to blend it out to the corners; pat concealer along the perimeter to prevent feathering throughout the day.

OLIVE

For those with an olive skin tone, look for orange-infused reds like poppy and coral, and avoid anything with blue undertones, which can read as fuchsia on warmer complexions. To make your fiery lip last, follow Dubroff's strategy: Apply lipstick, then dip a small shadow brush in translucent powder, tap off the excess so there's barely any left, and lightly run it over lips to set.

CARAMEL

Some bright reds can actually make darker complexions look dull, warns Dubroff, so stick with earthy hues that have a tinge of brown. Keep the formula from bleeding by using a matching pencil first and blotting lips after each coat of color. To give lips dimension, layer a slightly lighter shade on top, or add a sheer gloss right in the center.

DARK

The color of choice for chocolate skin? Plum-based wines that add intensity without being overwhelming, says Sotomayor. To get the shade to read the same as it does in the tube, even out your lips with a touch of foundation first. If you're a tad color shy, dab the lipstick on with the tip of your ring finger for a pretty, stained effect.